[D5, EA] (Open) (Restful Inn Hotel)Shrimp Soup heals the soul

[Bayushi Hinata]

It is another packed afternoon at the Restful Inn. Clan Samurai fight over the remaining hot water in the communal baths, the scarcely available coffee creamers and instant coffee packets, vending machines run dry. It is as busy as it gets, yet luckily, the communal kitchen is generally empty at this point of the day. Very few samurai know how to cook after all, preferring to not burn whatever ingredients they secured for themselves and simply leave the act of cooking to a professional.

The smell of shrimp stock wafts through the adjacent halls of the kitchen, mixed with the ever present churning of coffee and tea as electric kettles boil over time and time again. A young man happily stirs a pot with shrimp shells simmering inside it as he chops up chilies and garlic to throw into the pot. A bowl of raw, de-shelled and de-veined shrimp remain in front of him as a pan shimmers with heating oil and the rice cooker steams off in the corner.

He's handsome, he's tall, he cooks too? Why is he in this cramped up hotel?

[Soshi Kotori]

Kotori had only seen the last of the Scorpion Entourage in passing - distant passing. Since it had been days, the thought had crossed her mind that she should more than likely greet them and see if they required anything of her.

It had come as somewhat of a surprise that she couldn't find them in the Natsuzora Ryokan with the rest of the contingent - so instead she'd headed towards Friendship Street. She'd say it was a an educated guess, but such information was generally easy to come. She'd scored the entire hotel - navigating through the crowded areas until she'd come found the communal kitchen. The veiled Scorpion peered out from the threshold of the room. They were... cooking? She stared for a few moments before eventually calling out.

"Bayushi-san?"

It was the right person, right?

[Bayushi Hinata]

Kotori had only seen the last of the Scorpion Entourage in passing - distant passing. Since it had been days, the thought had crossed her mind that she should more than likely greet them and see if they required anything of her.

It had come as somewhat of a surprise that she couldn't find them in the Natsuzora Ryokan with the rest of the contingent - so instead she'd headed towards Friendship Street. She'd say it was a an educated guess, but such information was generally easy to come. She'd scored the entire hotel - navigating through the crowded areas until she'd come found the communal kitchen. The veiled Scorpion peered out from the threshold of the room. They were... cooking? She stared for a few moments before eventually calling out.

"Bayushi-san?"

It was the right person, right?

The young man continues to give his attention to the veggies he is ccutting up. His hand falls ryhtmically against the chopping board before scooping them up, some for the oil, some for the stock. Once he's let the knife down he turns over his shoulder to look at whoever had called out to him. The hostile visage of his mask stands besides his gentler featured face, a contrast as appalling as it was highlighting of the man's beauty.

His head tilts to the side, no recognition on his face. "That's me... Soshi-san... OH!" He turns away from the kitchen counter, leaning with a hand onto it as a smile spreads on his face. "You must be part of the delegation neh? Name's Hinata. Iam unde Bayushi Kazushi-sama's employ."

He gave a bow before returning to the task at hand. Shaking the pan and spreading the aromatics and spice evenly through the oil, make sure it doesn't burn! Letting the rice cooker release steam, cleaning the chopping board before returning it to it's cabinet alongside the knife.

"I made a pretty good deal on Diamond Shrimp today, managed to snag a little something to treat myself. I don't mind sharing." He smiles over his shoulder at the Soshi. Arms wtill working every aspect of the dish even if his eyes weren't on them.

[Soshi Kotori]

The young man continues to give his attention to the veggies he is ccutting up. His hand falls ryhtmically against the chopping board before scooping them up, some for the oil, some for the stock. Once he's let the knife down he turns over his shoulder to look at whoever had called out to him. The hostile visage of his mask stands besides his gentler featured face, a contrast as appalling as it was highlighting of the man's beauty.

His head tilts to the side, no recognition on his face. "That's me... Soshi-san... OH!" He turns away from the kitchen counter, leaning with a hand onto it as a smile spreads on his face. "You must be part of the delegation neh? Name's Hinata. Iam unde Bayushi Kazushi-sama's employ."

He gave a bow before returning to the task at hand. Shaking the pan and spreading the aromatics and spice evenly through the oil, make sure it doesn't burn! Letting the rice cooker release steam, cleaning the chopping board before returning it to it's cabinet alongside the knife.

"I made a pretty good deal on Diamond Shrimp today, managed to snag a little something to treat myself. I don't mind sharing." He smiles over his shoulder at the Soshi. Arms wtill working every aspect of the dish even if his eyes weren't on them.

"Nice to meet you Bayushi-san. I am Soshi Kotori, I... was sent to provide support to the delegation." She seems a little skeptical as to why she was sent, or exactly what help she was truly giving them. So far she'd babysat a child, bought a sea monster for the clan, pretended to be some vampire ninja and embarrassed a famous actor of the Crab and made a rather humiliating introduction to the governor.

Kotori watched curiously, her soft taupe eyes peering out over the crimson veil. It was indeed an unexpected sight to see him cook, and he even seemed quite comfortable with the task. Moving a little closer she looked towards the shrimp - it was a relief to hear another clanmate found success in the early hours of the morning.

"Alas I left my sea monster for transport." She said lightly, thoughts now drifting to what it might have tasted like if it wasn't being transported for research. She smiled behind the veil, eyes crinkling slightly in the corner, cheeks rising slightly. "I could only share sochu and sweets in return." Two essentials of life.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Nice to meet you Bayushi-san. I am Soshi Kotori, I... was sent to provide support to the delegation." She seems a little skeptical as to why she was sent, or exactly what help she was truly giving them. So far she'd babysat a child, bought a sea monster for the clan, pretended to be some vampire ninja and embarrassed a famous actor of the Crab and made a rather humiliating introduction to the governor.

Kotori watched curiously, her soft taupe eyes peering out over the crimson veil. It was indeed an unexpected sight to see him cook, and he even seemed quite comfortable with the task. Moving a little closer she looked towards the shrimp - it was a relief to hear another clanmate found success in the early hours of the morning.

"Alas I left my sea monster for transport." She said lightly, thoughts now drifting to what it might have tasted like if it wasn't being transported for research. She smiled behind the veil, eyes crinkling slightly in the corner, cheeks rising slightly. "I could only share sochu and sweets in return." Two essentials of life.

Salt here, pepper over there, chili flakes, onion powder, just a pinch of sugar. Hinata glides over the kitchen counter looking to make the best of the somewhat limited spice rack the hotel provided.

"As have I. I'll admit our charges don't seem to need much help at all. But it never hurts to have more people to show how dedicated the clan is to this deal."

He put the shrimp onto the pan, shaking it as to coat each one in oil, butter and garlic, he allows them to sit before he opens up the rice cooker. Retrieving two portions of the newly made rice.

"Oh you found one of those deep sea auctions? Lucky! I was mostly relegated to the more widespread stuff, salmon, tilapia, never hurts to stock up though. I think I impressed the crabs somewhat." Confidence drips from every word and movement. The smell of garlic shrimp wafting from the pan turning heads.

"Shochu would pair quite well with this. And I was just thinking I had missed something for dessert! You're a lifesaver Soshi-san."

[Soshi Kotori]

Salt here, pepper over there, chili flakes, onion powder, just a pinch of sugar. Hinata glides over the kitchen counter looking to make the best of the somewhat limited spice rack the hotel provided.

"As have I. I'll admit our charges don't seem to need much help at all. But it never hurts to have more people to show how dedicated the clan is to this deal."

He put the shrimp onto the pan, shaking it as to coat each one in oil, butter and garlic, he allows them to sit before he opens up the rice cooker. Retrieving two portions of the newly made rice.

"Oh you found one of those deep sea auctions? Lucky! I was mostly relegated to the more widespread stuff, salmon, tilapia, never hurts to stock up though. I think I impressed the crabs somewhat." Confidence drips from every word and movement. The smell of garlic shrimp wafting from the pan turning heads.

"Shochu would pair quite well with this. And I was just thinking I had missed something for dessert! You're a lifesaver Soshi-san."

Kotori reaches into her bag to take out her contribution to the impromptu meal - a bottle of fairly nice shochu and a flowery little lacquerware container that one would assume contained sweets.

"I think it was coincidence, I found it when I took a detour through some side streets. I had tried to get some of the shrimp too, but couldn't close the deal unfortunately. I'm glad you did well Bayushi-san, it seems as if everyone has been making steady progress."

She pauses long enough to breath in the tantalizing scent of shrimpy, garlicy goodness. Her eyes widen just a little as she stares. It looked so good - and Kotori, she was the kind of Samurai who could burn rice.

"D-... do you cook often?" she asked tentatively.

[Bayushi Hinata]

Kotori reaches into her bag to take out her contribution to the impromptu meal - a bottle of fairly nice shochu and a flowery little lacquerware container that one would assume contained sweets.

"I think it was coincidence, I found it when I took a detour through some side streets. I had tried to get some of the shrimp too, but couldn't close the deal unfortunately. I'm glad you did well Bayushi-san, it seems as if everyone has been making steady progress."

She pauses long enough to breath in the tantalizing scent of shrimpy, garlicy goodness. Her eyes widen just a little as she stares. It looked so good - and Kotori, she was the kind of Samurai who could burn rice.

"D-... do you cook often?" she asked tentatively.

"Coincidences don't exist. Chance? Sometimes, but you coming across a beast worth studying for the clan sounds to me like fate! Maybe the fortunes saw fit for you to come across such a prize."

The young man stirs the pot, taking a spoonful of the rapidly reducing stock and deeming it deserving of more chili flakes. He fished out the shells from the pot, carefully discarding them into the trash before ladling some of the stock into a bowl and sliding it towards Kotori.

"Steady is what I've been able to aim at for the events planned. Iam no courtier, but Iam trained to not embarrass at court. I guess it's come far more handy than I expected, this was still meant to be some sort of vacation anyway."

He lowered the heat on the soup and moved the shrimp along the circumference of the pan. The cookware sizzling loudly before he starts flipping them.

"Please try the soup while the shrimp finish cooking! And yeah, since I was a child. My father raised us, he's the one who married into the scorpion. We did have servants but he insisted we should be able to do all tasks of a home by ourselves, cook, clean, he took his duties as househusband very seriously!"

[Soshi Kotori]

"Coincidences don't exist. Chance? Sometimes, but you coming across a beast worth studying for the clan sounds to me like fate! Maybe the fortunes saw fit for you to come across such a prize."

The young man stirs the pot, taking a spoonful of the rapidly reducing stock and deeming it deserving of more chili flakes. He fished out the shells from the pot, carefully discarding them into the trash before ladling some of the stock into a bowl and sliding it towards Kotori.

"Steady is what I've been able to aim at for the events planned. Iam no courtier, but Iam trained to not embarrass at court. I guess it's come far more handy than I expected, this was still meant to be some sort of vacation anyway."

He lowered the heat on the soup and moved the shrimp along the circumference of the pan. The cookware sizzling loudly before he starts flipping them.

"Please try the soup while the shrimp finish cooking! And yeah, since I was a child. My father raised us, he's the one who married into the scorpion. We did have servants but he insisted we should be able to do all tasks of a home by ourselves, cook, clean, he took his duties as househusband very seriously!"

"I must have missed that training..." Kotori mumbled under her breath, quickly perking up as she reached for the bowl. "Was it to be a character building exercise?"

Kotori had almost thought to lower the veil since she was in the company of another Scorpion, but it was the communal kitchen. Instead she glanced away as her hand slipped a beneath the veil, carefully holding it slightly away from her face as she sipped the soup behind the crimson fabric.

"Ah- " she looks up as the rich flavorful broth lingers on her tongue, "It's delicious, Bayushi-san."

She took another sip, emptying it's contents before placing it back on the table.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I must have missed that training..." Kotori mumbled under her breath, quickly perking up as she reached for the bowl. "Was it to be a character building exercise?"

Kotori had almost thought to lower the veil since she was in the company of another Scorpion, but it was the communal kitchen. Instead she glanced away as her hand slipped a beneath the veil, carefully holding it slightly away from her face as she sipped the soup behind the crimson fabric.

"Ah- " she looks up as the rich flavorful broth lingers on her tongue, "It's delicious, Bayushi-san."

She took another sip, emptying it's contents before placing it back on the table.

He smiles warmly as she sips on his cooking, turning off the stove and beginning to plate the shrimp on top of the rice bowls. "You missed nothing, it was a family thing, the dojo certainly didn't look fondly upon my sharpening of househusbandry skills! I don't know if it was character or just... Maybe he just wanted to make sure I knew how to be a good spouse? Family friends remarked how much of a catch he was for my mother. No matter who I end up paired with I can do my share of anything and everything."

He ladles the thick stock into the rice, making sure to plate up the bowls with plenty of shrimp and garnishing with freshly chopped scallions. His skills had nothing to envy street food vendors it would seem. He extends the bowl to her before pickung up his own, leaning back onto the counter and putting a shrimp into his mouth.

"Thank you! It's nothing fancy really, but catching the fresh produce and fish early in the morning really helps."

[Soshi Kotori]

Chop Chop

"Ooooh, I see." Kotori nodded, quietly relieved that it hadn't been some strange reason like her sensei thinking she was a lost cause. Well, her previous sensei - she liked her current one far better - the feeling wasn't mutual. Kotori smiled down at the soup and then looked back over her shoulder to the remainder of the communal kitchen. "Even as a bushi it has it's place. You cannot always have someone to prepare your meals when you are on a task, and nourishment is important for your body's condition. And while it there may be some simple rations, a tasty meal can do wonders for the one's spirit."

She shifted on her feet as she spoke, adjusting the angle to ensure her back was to the threshold so that any straying eyes of strangers would only find the back of her head - which wasn't particularly interesting. She quietly slipped the off her ear, and raised a finger to her lips and made a quiet shushing sound - a small smile tugging at her lips. She hardly imagined that Hinata would be one to complain about it.

Kotori was, like so many of the Scorpion, a striking beauty. Large eyes, a straight nose and high cheekbones with a small beauty mark under the corner of her right eye.

"Itadakimasu." She picked up her own bowl to eat.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Ooooh, I see." Kotori nodded, quietly relieved that it hadn't been some strange reason like her sensei thinking she was a lost cause. Well, her previous sensei - she liked her current one far better - the feeling wasn't mutual. Kotori smiled down at the soup and then looked back over her shoulder to the remainder of the communal kitchen. "Even as a bushi it has it's place. You cannot always have someone to prepare your meals when you are on a task, and nourishment is important for your body's condition. And while it there may be some simple rations, a tasty meal can do wonders for the one's spirit."

She shifted on her feet as she spoke, adjusting the angle to ensure her back was to the threshold so that any straying eyes of strangers would only find the back of her head - which wasn't particularly interesting. She quietly slipped the off her ear, and raised a finger to her lips and made a quiet shushing sound - a small smile tugging at her lips. She hardly imagined that Hinata would be one to complain about it.

Kotori was, like so many of the Scorpion, a striking beauty. Large eyes, a straight nose and high cheekbones with a small beauty mark under the corner of her right eye.

"Itadakimasu." She picked up her own bowl to eat.

"It never crossed my mind as it being odd until I was the only student at the dojo who cooked their meals and cleaned their room. You'd imagine most samurai would be capable of doing the latter at the very least right?" He slowly partook of the meal, chpsticks bringing small bites of shrimp infused rice and sauteed shrimp into his mouth.

He smiled with a full cheek as she shushed him, bringing his own finger to his lips before refocusing on his meal. Being privy to another's true mask is a privilege best not indulged too eagerly upon, what's Kotori to say to a lover when she reveals her face is known to a handsome young man after all? She would probably lie though.

"Met anyone interesting yet? I know we're both mostly here as support, but it doesn't mean we can't spend our free time with interesting people right?" He raised an inquisitive eyebrow, the way a young boy inquires about another young boy's romantic affairs.

[Soshi Kotori]

"It never crossed my mind as it being odd until I was the only student at the dojo who cooked their meals and cleaned their room. You'd imagine most samurai would be capable of doing the latter at the very least right?" He slowly partook of the meal, chpsticks bringing small bites of shrimp infused rice and sauteed shrimp into his mouth.

He smiled with a full cheek as she shushed him, bringing his own finger to his lips before refocusing on his meal. Being privy to another's true mask is a privilege best not indulged too eagerly upon, what's Kotori to say to a lover when she reveals her face is known to a handsome young man after all? She would probably lie though.

"Met anyone interesting yet? I know we're both mostly here as support, but it doesn't mean we can't spend our free time with interesting people right?" He raised an inquisitive eyebrow, the way a young boy inquires about another young boy's romantic affairs.

It's okay, it was just another sign of her continued incompetence. It was expected at this stage, and when expectations were set so low, it seemed a pity to prove them wrong.

"Mm." Kotori nodded, finishing her mouthful before speaking. "There was a Mantis I met at an Izakaya - Yoritomo Ochiba-san at an Izakaya... then there was Kitsuki Ichitaiyo-san who I saw in the streets... and I played with Hiruma Akito-san... and I met up with Yasuki Taraka near the beach..."

[Bayushi Hinata]

It's okay, it was just another sign of her continued incompetence. It was expected at this stage, and when expectations were set so low, it seemed a pity to prove them wrong.

"Mm." Kotori nodded, finishing her mouthful before speaking. "There was a Mantis I met at an Izakaya - Yoritomo Ochiba-san at an Izakaya... then there was Kitsuki Ichitaiyo-san who I saw in the streets... and I played with Hiruma Akito-san... and I met up with Yasuki Taraka near the beach..."

"Going around plenty! Impressive, I've yet to make that many significant meetings. Any of them fun? Interesting? C'mon Kotori-san indulge me a little with the details. It is only fair payment for a bowl of nice seafood." He smiles at her as he happily shovels the food into his mouth. He seemed quite vulnerable, open even. Not the usual sort of scorpion it seemed. Or at least that's what he projected.

"I myself got to meet Kakita Hiroki from Usagi Drop! the other day! I should try and find him again I wanted to ask for an autograph for my sister. She'll flip if I get such a gift for her!" Upbeat, warm, friendly and welcoming. A disarming act, if an act at all. Were all bushi this defenseless?

[Soshi Kotori]

"Going around plenty! Impressive, I've yet to make that many significant meetings. Any of them fun? Interesting? C'mon Kotori-san indulge me a little with the details. It is only fair payment for a bowl of nice seafood." He smiles at her as he happily shovels the food into his mouth. He seemed quite vulnerable, open even. Not the usual sort of scorpion it seemed. Or at least that's what he projected.

"I myself got to meet Kakita Hiroki from Usagi Drop! the other day! I should try and find him again I wanted to ask for an autograph for my sister. She'll flip if I get such a gift for her!" Upbeat, warm, friendly and welcoming. A disarming act, if an act at all. Were all bushi this defenseless?

"Ooh, I've heard of them before, I think they're quite popular, right?" Kotori looks up. "I think I've seen them here here and there

"I'm not sure I would say they were significant meetings, so much as coincidental?" She mused quietly. "When I met Yoritomo-san I'd gone out to have a drink and look about the island - the Izakaya was busy so we shared a table. Shared some Shochu and chatted - she was the first to inform me that I need to have more fun and let my hair down a little." Kotori smiled, before eating some more. It was y quite the reprieve from the seriousness of the Scorpion, from the usual perception of cloak and dagger. Kotori herself - beyond the mystery of a usually veiled figure shrouded in crimson garb - didn't exactly present as Scorpion material. A slight figure, a gentle gaze and generally awkward presence. Approachable, earnest and friendly hardly seemed like the words you'd expect to describe a Scorpion.

She ate a little more.

"If I run into the person from Usagi Drop! I'll be sure to ask them for an autograph just in case."

[Bayushi Hinata]

"Ooh, I've heard of them before, I think they're quite popular, right?" Kotori looks up. "I think I've seen them here here and there

"I'm not sure I would say they were significant meetings, so much as coincidental?" She mused quietly. "When I met Yoritomo-san I'd gone out to have a drink and look about the island - the Izakaya was busy so we shared a table. Shared some Shochu and chatted - she was the first to inform me that I need to have more fun and let my hair down a little." Kotori smiled, before eating some more. It was y quite the reprieve from the seriousness of the Scorpion, from the usual perception of cloak and dagger. Kotori herself - beyond the mystery of a usually veiled figure shrouded in crimson garb - didn't exactly present as Scorpion material. A slight figure, a gentle gaze and generally awkward presence. Approachable, earnest and friendly hardly seemed like the words you'd expect to describe a Scorpion.

She ate a little more.

"If I run into the person from Usagi Drop! I'll be sure to ask them for an autograph just in case."

"Every meeting is significant. You never know who you've run into until they've carved themselves a little corner in your world!" He lifted the bowl over his mouth, shovelling the remainder of his food into his mouth.

"Thou gotha enthoy thothe thithle meethings!" He says with his mouth full of rice and shrimp. Chowing them down before gulping it all down in one go. Tasking a napkin to wipe off his mouth and giving a little cough as if it excused the horrible impropriety he had just displayed.

"Anyone caught your eye? We only have one more week here. You can totally find someone to have some fun with before we leave... or you know... stay to handle matters of partnership and such..." He gave her a conspiratoial look, raising his eyebrows rythmically as if conveying some secret message that wasn't evident with his wording.

[Soshi Kotori]

"Every meeting is significant. You never know who you've run into until they've carved themselves a little corner in your world!" He lifted the bowl over his mouth, shovelling the remainder of his food into his mouth.

"Thou gotha enthoy thothe thithle meethings!" He says with his mouth full of rice and shrimp. Chowing them down before gulping it all down in one go. Tasking a napkin to wipe off his mouth and giving a little cough as if it excused the horrible impropriety he had just displayed.

"Anyone caught your eye? We only have one more week here. You can totally find someone to have some fun with before we leave... or you know... stay to handle matters of partnership and such..." He gave her a conspiratoial look, raising his eyebrows rythmically as if conveying some secret message that wasn't evident with his wording.

Kotori stopped eating for a moment chewing slowly and swallowing, as if the task of contemplation required more braincells than she could afford while eating.

"I mean, I have been enjoying my time with all of them..." She says, as if navigating the not so secret meaning behind his words with caution.. "But I'm not sure investing in these connections in such a way would will provide the payoff we are looking for...?"

[Bayushi Hinata]

Kotori stopped eating for a moment chewing slowly and swallowing, as if the task of contemplation required more braincells than she could afford while eating.

"I mean, I have been enjoying my time with all of them..." She says, as if navigating the not so secret meaning behind his words with caution.. "But I'm not sure investing in these connections in such a way would will provide the payoff we are looking for...?"

Only one eyebrow raises in response, the expression turning more inquisitive and less mischivious.

"I don't think 'the payoff we are looking for' is synonym with 'The payoff Soshi Kotori is looking for'. I may have misinterpreted your answer there." The eybrow remains raised. Then the smile is back.

"You don't need to tell me your secrets, I'll need a lot more shrimp for that. I'm asking you to actually be open to something new. Exciting.... perhaps even taking off the mask for someone else..." He shrugged, eyes closed as he turned to loads his bowl in the dishwasher "I think pretty highly of myself, but I don't think I'm the only one you wouldn't mind putting the veil aside for. If only for a few moments."

[Soshi Kotori]

Only one eyebrow raises in response, the expression turning more inquisitive and less mischivious.

"I don't think 'the payoff we are looking for' is synonym with 'The payoff Soshi Kotori is looking for'. I may have misinterpreted your answer there." The eybrow remains raised. Then the smile is back.

"You don't need to tell me your secrets, I'll need a lot more shrimp for that. I'm asking you to actually be open to something new. Exciting.... perhaps even taking off the mask for someone else..." He shrugged, eyes closed as he turned to loads his bowl in the dishwasher "I think pretty highly of myself, but I don't think I'm the only one you wouldn't mind putting the veil aside for. If only for a few moments."

"I was told I'm terrible at having fun." She sighs softly with a lighthearted shrug. Fun was a luxury of the prodigies and established - she was neither.

"It is a rare occasion that I would take it off..." Kotori admits, placing her empty bowl on the table. "Normally I wouldn't even lower it while eating like others, and I'd just deal with the nuisance. But it is tiresome, and I suppose I thought it wouldn't be the worst to give myself a brief reprieve in the company of a fellow clanmate, one who didn't seem particularly traditionalist in that particular respect."

"Then again, I've no doubt that even now we're both wearing masks." She smiles.

[Bayushi Hinata]

"I was told I'm terrible at having fun." She sighs softly with a lighthearted shrug. Fun was a luxury of the prodigies and established - she was neither.

"It is a rare occasion that I would take it off..." Kotori admits, placing her empty bowl on the table. "Normally I wouldn't even lower it while eating like others, and I'd just deal with the nuisance. But it is tiresome, and I suppose I thought it wouldn't be the worst to give myself a brief reprieve in the company of a fellow clanmate, one who didn't seem particularly traditionalist in that particular respect."

"Then again, I've no doubt that even now we're both wearing masks." She smiles.

"I don't think you're bad at it. I think you're not allowing yourself to. Duty doesn't have to exclude a little bit of fun."

He looked her empty bowl, loading it into the dishwasher before he begins to go through different cupboards, looking for something.

"Iam thankful for the trust. And you're right. Iam not particularly traditional with mine. Not like I'm very traditional with anything." He gestures towards the used kitchen, his transgressive and scandalous manner of dress. "And now you're saying the quiet part out loud. I think that was the whole point of putting on physical ones as a clan." He remarks, he takes a pause before turning back towards her, removing the mask from the side of his head and placing it on the counter between them

"I'm asking you to be... Willing. To take the mask off with someone. That right there is... About 23 years old? Was my mother's after she won the Topaz Championship... Made by my father's hand, her fellow competitor... am I getting my point across? I might just be rambling about things that only make sense to me!"

He chuckles, without the mask hanging from his temple he looked... Like any other crane. Welcoming, handsome, sincere, friendly. Even if he had changed nothing but an accessory.

[Soshi Kotori]

Boop.

Kotori's demeanor remains pleasant as he speaks, a little nod of affirmation here and there in acknowledgment, but as the mask is placed on the counter there's a long moment where her attention seems to grow distant. From the conversation at least, it's obvious where her attention shifts to - the mask.

"How very special to have received such a sentimental token." It's hard to tell if she is perhaps admiring it, or her thoughts have strayed elsewhere, but for the slightest moment there's a brief, lingering bitterness in her gaze. By the time she looks back up, a warm smile tugging at the corners of her lips it's as if it never happened. "When you aren't given a mask, you have no choice but to fashion one of your own making. And I'm not sure that is a mask I am ready to abandon, nor that anyone should wish to see."

Her smile, at the very least, is honest. But as she watches Hinata - she couldn't help but wonder if the domesticated crane act could just as easily be another mask.